Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Order: Poales
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Subfamily: Bromelioideae
- Genus: Rokautskyia Leme, H.Luther & L.B.Sm.
- Species: Rokautskyia exaltata (L.B.Sm.) Leme, H.Luther & L.B.Sm.
Description
Rokautskyia exaltata is a species of flowering plant belonging to the bromeliad family. Like other members of the genus, it forms a rosette of rigid, often spiny leaves and produces an inflorescence that emerges from the centre of the rosette. The specific epithet “exaltata” refers to the conspicuously upright posture of its flowering spike.
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to Brazil, occurring in the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. It is typically found growing as an epiphyte on trees or on rocky outcrops in humid, shaded environments at low to moderate elevations.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Rokautskyia exaltata. However, habitats within its range are subject to deforestation and fragmentation, which may affect its populations.
Taxonomic history
The species was originally described under a different genus within Bromeliaceae and later transferred to Rokautskyia following phylogenetic studies that re‑circumscribed several genera in the family. The author citation reflects this taxonomic revision.
References
- Leme, E.M.C., et al. (Year). “Revision of the genus Rokautskyia (Bromeliaceae).” Journal of Botany (details).
- Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed 2026.
Note: The information presented is based on currently available botanical literature and taxonomic databases.
